Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I grow this in my garden, and find it to be tasty and also make a refreshing tea. Does anyone else use this herb? What for, and what is the result?

flag	asked Aug 10 2011 at 16:48 The Loon 8,432●6●26

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I heard of it but I tend to ignore everything entitled with the word "holy" (#sarcasm,don't take it too seriously) – annamalia Aug 10 2011 at 17:08

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Is that the stuff in Tulsi tea? If so, I like it – ben61820 Aug 10 2011 at 17:22

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Ben, yep. That's it. – Shari Bambino Aug 10 2011 at 17:43

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yeah, i buy it as loose tea and steep it. stuff is really good. Mercola turned me on to it a while back. local joint carries a brand from india. – ben61820 Aug 10 2011 at 18:10

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It is indeed Tusi. I like it too. Supposedly, it's an adaptogen. I've used it in times of high anxiety. It seemed to help. – Pete Aug 10 2011 at 18:29

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Shari Bambino · Answer 1 · 2011-08-10 17:46:18Z UTC

Holy Basil (Tulsi) is an adaptogen. GOOD stuff! I drink the tea almost daily and it helps keep me from becoming a raging lunatic. Well most of the time it helps. I'd love to try freshly grown. What a great thing to grow in your yard.

The pesto idea sounds great. I will look for some fresh to give that a try.

Ebice · Answer 2 · 2011-08-10 17:16:53Z UTC

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Pesto!!!

Chop or grind the basil, mix with oil, i usually use EVOO. Use as a sauce for anything or pour into an ice cube tray and freeze for storage.

answered Aug 10 2011 at 17:16

Ebice
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you use this variety for sauces? I use mostly Italian basil for pesto – The Loon Aug 10 2011 at 19:11

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You know.... you could do a pesto but with adjustments and it might be kind of awesome. A neutral oil, cashew for the nut, shallot, garlic, fish sauce, a bit of fresh chili, lemongrass, maybe some lime zest. Freeze that and you could do some killer Asian style meals all the time. Salad, roasted chicken, stir fries, would be good with beef and pork, too.. fish.. hmm.. intrigued. – jesuisjuba - paleorepublic.com Aug 10 2011 at 21:04

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mmm, I'm going for the "killer Asian style meals" – The Loon Aug 11 2011 at 2:41

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Do it! I think I need to as well.. I never thought of just twisting a pesto this far. I've made out of other herbs and nuts so this should be a fun experiment! – jesuisjuba - paleorepublic.com Aug 11 2011 at 10:55

So here's Q's version: sprig of holy basil, handful of macadamia nuts, gallon of coconut oil. But by all means, don't pour this over pasta. – The Loon Aug 11 2011 at 20:25

jesuisjuba - paleorepublic.com · Answer 3 · 2011-08-10 18:00:31Z UTC

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Sure! I get bunches of it at the greenmarket for $1.50. I like the little bit of anise flavour that it has. I'll toss into stir fries, when I make Larb will chiffonade a bunch in, same with fresh rolls. Great to muddle with lime and top off with seltzer and ice

My mum also used to make tea out of it as a kid when we would be sick or feeling mucky.

answered Aug 10 2011 at 18:00

jesuisjuba - paleorepublic.com
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Holy basil, or just regular basil? – Dan Jun 22 at 6:27

Holy for tea and cooking - Sweet for cooking and muddling into things. Sweet Basil = Ocimum basilicum / Holy basil = Ocimum basilicum thyrsiflora - not the same but the same family :) – jesuisjuba - paleorepublic.com Jun 22 at 14:35

Koko · Answer 4 · 2011-09-05 00:24:20Z UTC

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For myself I use it as an infusion for depression and stress. I add it in small amounts to infusion blends I make for some postpartum doula clients. I use the essential oil in massage blends I make, again for aiding anxiety and depression.

I don't really like the taste or the smell of it, but it's an effective ingredient so I use it.

answered Sep 5 2011 at 0:24

Koko
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Neat to see another postpartum doula on here. I had been using skullcap and chamomile in infusions for clients, and for non-nursing moms valerian if they can handle the smell. Good to know about the holy basil in this application. – Happy Now Feb 9 2012 at 21:27

Anne Luck · Answer 5 · 2011-11-30 06:59:24Z UTC

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I was told at the health food store that Holy Basil tea is good to reduce belly fat and cortisol!

answered Nov 30 2011 at 6:59

Anne Luck
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I drink the tea daily. It hasn't done anything for my body fat, but it does seem to chill me out. – RJ100 Nov 30 2011 at 15:11

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People selling you stuff are telling you it's good for you - it must be true! – Wisper Feb 9 2012 at 20:20

JeezLoise · Answer 6 · 2012-02-09 19:55:13Z UTC

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It's an amazing anti-inflammatory food, and people pay a lot of money to supplement with it.

answered Feb 9 2012 at 19:55

JeezLoise
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omg, it grows like a weed! plant some in the summer – The Loon Feb 10 2012 at 16:24

Nance · Answer 7 · 2012-02-09 19:59:59Z UTC

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I had never used it fresh, but a few weeks ago I impulsively grabbed a package. I minced it finely and tossed it on my salad before pouring the o & v and I LOVED it. It's not a staple for me, but it's now a rotated favorite.

answered Feb 9 2012 at 19:59

Nance
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Does anyone use Holy Basil

7 Answers